The name Appaleton is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived near an orchard or a homestead where apples were grown. The Old English word for orchard is æppeltun, which is a compound word formed from æppel, which means apple, and tun, which means enclosure. The surname may also be derived from residency near the various settlements called Appleton in Cheshire, Kent, and Yorkshire, among other places.

Early Origins of the Appaleton family

The surname Appaleton was first found in Lancashire at Widness with Appleton, a township, in the parish and union of Prescot, hundred of West Derby. The estate of Widness with Appleton was once held by the family but was lost under tragic circumstances. "Appleton gave name to an ancient family, the last of whom left two children under the guardianship of one Hawarden, who was reported to have murdered them. The estate afterwards belonged to the Gellibrands, who succeeded the Hawardens." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. Some of the first records of the name include John de Appelton who represented York in the parliament in the reign of Edward II and William Appleton who was sheriff of that city in the reign of James II. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include: Thomas de Appelton in Oxfordshire; and Wydo de Appelton in Yorkshire. The YorkshirePoll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Willelmus de Appilton. [3]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)

Further north in Scotland, one of the first records there was Robert de Aplinden or Aplintoune in Annandale who forfeited his lands in the reign of Robert Bruce. Later Robert de Aplinton or Appylton had a charter of land in the burgh of Invemys from Robert II in 1378. [4]CITATION[CLOSE]Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)

Early History of the Appaleton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Appaleton research.Another 147 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Appaleton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Appaleton Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Appaleton has been spelled many different ways, including Appleton, Apelton, Apleton, Appletown, Apylton and others.

Early Notables of the Appaleton family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Appaleton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Appaleton family to Ireland

Some of the Appaleton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 78 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Appaleton family to the New World and Oceana

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Appaletons to arrive in North America: Richard Appleton settled in Virginia in 1622; and Richard Appleton settled in that same estate in 1635; Francis settled in Maryland in 1774; Mary Appleton settled in 1734.